The friendship premium: A majority of people would trade 20% in salary to work with close friends, KPMG survey finds

While a massive return-to-office push mised to make collaboration and relationship building easier and more accessible, most workers still feel lonely at work

That’s largely due to nology use and a lack of support for employees, re shows

This “friendship premium” effectively values workplace relationships at 20% of someone’s salary, according to KPMG

Meanwhile, 45% of people reported feelings of loneliness in the workplace, up nearly double from KPMG’s Friends at Work report from last year

KPMG’s decision to explore workplace friendships was driven by the growing recognition that human connection is essential to success, Sandy Torchia, KPMG U.S. vice chair of talent and culture, told Fortune. “Our [2024] survey revealed that workplace friendships are an undervalued solution for addressing issues such as loneliness, burnout and disengagement—challenges increasingly evident in today’s workforce,” she said. “Our [2025] survey indicates that these issues not only persist but are becoming even more prevalent.” The value of friendships at work Kelsey Szamet, a workplace attorney with Encino, Calif.-based Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers, told Fortune it’s no wonder some employees would choose lower pay to work with friends

Based on her work with clients, “a warm organizational culture will often rank higher for employees compared to simple monetary pay,” Szamet said. “Working in an atmosphere of trust and friendship can lead to greater commitment and staying longer with one company even if salaries are not at the stratospheric levels for one’s expertise.” Erin Eatough, cofounder and chief science officer at advisory firm Fractional Insights, told Fortune this trend reflects a larger redefinition of value at work. “People are no longer just optimizing for income—they’re optimizing for meaning, growth, and connection,” said Eatough, who uses psychological science while consulting Fortune 500 leaders

She earned her Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of South Florida. “We see this in our diagnostics,” she continued. “Workers are increasingly seeking environments where they feel safe, connected, and respected

Friends can serve as support systems at important times when an employee faces discrimination, harassment, or retaliation Szamet said

Generational breakdown and AI friendships KPMG’s survey results found Gen Z values workplace friendships the most out of all groups

While friendships are valuable across all generations, younger workers rely more heavily on work friends to navigate mental health and burnout, Torchia said

They’re also more ly to view their work friends as “social connectors” and “confidants,” she added

AI has also become a source of companionship—for better or for worse—for some workers

While 99% of workers reported they’re interested in an AI chatbot that could become a friend or trusted work companion, according to KPMG, 49% said the nology creates false connections and replaces deep conversations with superficial interactions

Torchia calls this the “great AI paradox.” AI “can serve as a tool to help alleviate loneliness while also amplifying our hunger for authentic relationships,” she said. “The organizations winning are those leveraging emerging nology AI to create more meaningful human interactions, not fewer.” Eatough said the more we automate, the more precious and powerful human connections become. “If we’re not careful, we risk designing sterile, extractive workplaces in pursuit of efficiency,” she said

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